Union Chapel Water Treatment Plant one step closer to reality

Published: Monday, July 1, 2013 at 03:28 PM.

A concept that began 13 years ago is a bit closer to becoming reality.

ONWASA is pursuing grants and low interest loan options to fund the Union Chapel Water Treatment Plant, according to information from ONWASA.

The project, which will create an alternate water supply in the Castle Hayne Aquifer, is expected to be complete by June 2015. The design phase is scheduled to be complete in June 2014 followed by 12 months of construction, according to ONWASA officials.

The actual concept of the Union Chapel Plant started in 2000 and progressed as officials began looking at ways to intercept the water before it reached quarry pits via a well system.

An agreement was reached between Onslow Water and Sewer Authority and Martin Marietta Aggregates to allow more testing of the Castle Hayne Aquifer and acquiring of lands surrounding the Onslow Quarry site on Union Chapel Road for wells and a treatment plant.

New sources of water are needed in the area to replace the restricted amount currently being withdrawn from the Black Creek Aquifer, according to ONWASA.

Due to the reductions in the Black Creek, ONWASA needs another source in order to meet the demands, Tim Webb, utilities and planning superintendent told The Daily News.

A concept that began 13 years ago is a bit closer to becoming reality.

ONWASA is pursuing grants and low interest loan options to fund the Union Chapel Water Treatment Plant, according to information from ONWASA.

The project, which will create an alternate water supply in the Castle Hayne Aquifer, is expected to be complete by June 2015. The design phase is scheduled to be complete in June 2014 followed by 12 months of construction, according to ONWASA officials.

The actual concept of the Union Chapel Plant started in 2000 and progressed as officials began looking at ways to intercept the water before it reached quarry pits via a well system.

An agreement was reached between Onslow Water and Sewer Authority and Martin Marietta Aggregates to allow more testing of the Castle Hayne Aquifer and acquiring of lands surrounding the Onslow Quarry site on Union Chapel Road for wells and a treatment plant.

New sources of water are needed in the area to replace the restricted amount currently being withdrawn from the Black Creek Aquifer, according to ONWASA.

Due to the reductions in the Black Creek, ONWASA needs another source in order to meet the demands, Tim Webb, utilities and planning superintendent told The Daily News.

The second phase of the restrictions being implemented in August 2013 would reduce this amount by over 1.5 million gallons a day.

With each phase, there is a reduction of 25 percent, Webb said. There will be a total of a 75-percent reduction, with the third phase taking place in 2018.

The original estimated cost of a 3 million gallon per day Reverse Osmosis Plant to treat the Castle Hayne Aquifer water was estimated at $27 to $30 million. ONWASA officials say they then realized they wouldn’t need the full 3 million gallons immediately since they can still use 2.8 million gallons of the Black Creek Aquifer.

A new treatment option — which involved blending 1.5 million gallons of water from the Union Chapel wells or Castle Hayne Aquifer with the 2.8 million gallons of water from the Black Creek Aquifer for a drinking water supply that didn’t need additional treatment — was studied and developed as the initial phase, according to ONWASA officials.

The move saved $3 to 4 million.

It also allows ONWASA time to study the development and growth in the Southwest area to determine if further reductions would be necessary in the Black Creek Aquifer before expanding the plant to 3 million gallons.

ONWASA should hear within a couple of months whether grant funds will be awarded in response to an application for the Clean Water Partners Infrastructure Program through the Rural Center, officials said.

Amanda Hickey is the government reporter at The Daily News and can be reached at amanda.hickey@jdnews.com. Visit JDNews.com to comment.